Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Senator Ned O'Sullivan in extending good wishes to all those who will take part in talks on Croke Park II over the weekend. I hope for the sake of the country and economy that a satisfactory conclusion will be reached. I ask staff at Bus Éireann to consider the implications of a strike. The company is making heavy losses and must make cost savings. I doubt if there is any public support for strike action, which would have serious implications in terms of discommoding children and disrupting school examinations. If the strike proceeds and the company loses further money, it may not survive. I appeal to everybody involved to ensure that common sense prevails.

I compliment everyone involved in the well organised service held in Arbour Hill yesterday to commemorate the 1916 Rising. It was a most tasteful and inclusive ceremony, with, I understand, a much reduced military involvement. The State should be proud of the event. I could not help thinking of a woman whose home I visited the previous night, having passed away in her 107th year. May Coughlan was ten years old at the time of the 1916 Rising and during yesterday's ceremony I recalled the many events which occurred during her lifetime. I am sure the Cathaoirleach will not mind if I extend my sympathy to the Coughlan family on the death of May Coughlan, one of the oldest people in Ireland who passed away peacefully and had full use of her faculties until very recently. It was people like May Coughlan who laid the foundations of the State, which is enduring great difficulties from which I have no doubt we will emerge.

On a lighter note, as a people who are mad about sports, I extend our good wishes to Alex Ferguson who brought pleasure and joy to many people.